VILLAGE OF EAST SYRACUSE – An East Syracuse staple is no more as of Friday, Jan. 28.
After 45 years of business, the Village Deli at 325 W. Manlius St. has closed its doors, but not without a show of appreciation from well-wishing customers.
From the time the popular dining spot announced the approach of its final day, the turnout was as large as it had been since before the COVID outbreak, owner Wayne Cunningham said.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people and made so many friends over the years,” said the 76-year-old. “I really, really enjoyed being here and being part of the community, and overall I love the food business and my customers.”
Back in December 1977, Cunningham purchased a gas station at the spot, transformed it into his very own sandwich shop and overlooked it part-time while cutting meat at Wegmans.
As his side business grew, he resolved that he had to subtract the supermarket gig from the equation, surrendering benefits like paid vacation days and his health plan in the process.
“I gave up an awful lot, but I haven’t regretted it a bit,” Cunningham said. “It’s not to say that Wegmans isn’t a wonderful company to work for, but to me, there’s nothing like working for yourself.”
While operating the deli these past few decades, he joined the village’s planning board, formed its chamber of commerce and served as the president of the East Syracuse Lions Club.
In recent years, the introduction of sandwiches at the Byrne Diary across the street, the opening of a Panera Bread on Erie Boulevard and the rise of COVID affected the deli’s operation, said his daughter Lisa, who lately stopped in every other day to prepare food and help with scheduling.
However, the Jan. 17 burglary there that resulted in a stolen cash register played no part in last week’s closing according to her, as the Cunninghams had already agreed to turn over the space to an undisclosed Mexican restaurant by that point.
The elder Cunningham said another contributing factor was his tiring routine of waking up at 6 a.m. and battling the weather on his drive in from Clay.
“It’s been a long run and a great ride, but you reach a certain point in time where you just can’t do it anymore,” he said.
Still, apart from selling homemade soups, chili and sandwiches ranging from corned beef to chicken salad, he added that he’ll especially miss running the shop’s weather-dependent ice cream stand.
Through the springs and summers, the shop would offer 24 different flavors at that window, with vanilla being the top seller.
“All of a sudden it’s like, ‘OK, now what am I gonna do?” Wayne Cunningham said. “It’s so tough to change a lifestyle, but I’m onto the next phase of my life.”
Calling the closure “bittersweet,” Lisa said it was saddening to turn the key for the last time but that she’ll be happy to devote more attention to her job as an animal care manager for Helping Hounds Dog Rescue.
“I have so many fond memories of this place because I grew up here, but we were successful and my dad did everything he was supposed to as a businessman,” she said. “He gave back to his community and he excelled.”
At press time, there was no word as to when the unrevealed restaurant will take the place of the long-standing, now-closed Village Deli.
